News

Dogs face playing fields ban

BANNING dogs completely from public playing fields may be the only way to stop problems with fouling, concerned councillors in Upton have said.

Upton Town Council has fought a long-running battle against problems with dog mess, particularly on the town playing fields which are used by children and local sports teams.

But with no end to the problems in sight, former mayor Eric White feels enough is enough and it could be time to ban dogs from the fields off Old Street completely.

He said nearby Stocks Yatt Meadow, next to the main A4104 road at the bottom of Tunnel Hill, could then be made into a dedicated dog walking area.

“I don’t know how much money and how many hours have been spent on this matter over the years,” he said.

“The only solution I think we have got to the problem is to ban dogs completely from the playing fields.”

The council is planning to put up extra signs and request a crackdown on enforcement in a last-ditch attempt to solve the problem.

But councillors are sceptical it will have a real impact when similar attempts in the past have failed to yield lasting results.

“Until it becomes as antisocial as drink-driving or other things, then it will continue to be an issue,” said Coun Sheena Walsh.

Coun John Thompson said: “We have tackled this problem time and time again and short of prohibition I don’t see this problem ever going away no matter how many signs we have.”

The matter has now been placed in the hands of the council’s sport and recreation working group, which will report back with recommendations.

If the situation does not improve, it was suggested the issue could be re-visited at the annual town meeting in May, when the public would be able to have a say on any move to ban dogs from the playing fields.

And while we're at it, can we stop people keeping cats as pets too? Their owners appear to be under no obligation whatsoever to clean up after their filthy animals have deposited their mess in other people's gardens.

I fail to understand the dichotomy that exists between the responsibilities of dog owners and cat owners. And it's not just in cleaning up their mess. Dog owners are required to keep their animals under control (whether on a lead or not) in public, whereas cat owners have no obligation to do so. Imagine the uproar there would be if (uncontrolled) dogs were destroying a mere fraction of the wildlife that cats kill every year.

But don't worry feline fanciers, it will never happen. It would be electoral suicide for any party proposing such a civilised and responsible piece of legislation.

What a good idea.
And while we're at it, can we stop people keeping cats as pets too? Their owners appear to be under no obligation whatsoever to clean up after their filthy animals have deposited their mess in other people's gardens.
I fail to understand the dichotomy that exists between the responsibilities of dog owners and cat owners. And it's not just in cleaning up their mess. Dog owners are required to keep their animals under control (whether on a lead or not) in public, whereas cat owners have no obligation to do so. Imagine the uproar there would be if (uncontrolled) dogs were destroying a mere fraction of the wildlife that cats kill every year.
But don't worry feline fanciers, it will never happen. It would be electoral suicide for any party proposing such a civilised and responsible piece of legislation.Chronos

Does that mean that dogs will be banned from other areas of upton then? School Lane footpath is normally covered in it which is then unintentionally trampled along the footpath even further by children on their way to school. The footpath is narrow but there is no excuse to not pick up after your dog.
If you aren't willing to pick up after it then don't walk it in places where other people walk! I have 2 dogs and regularly walk them on the fields around Upton, including the sports fields, but always have poop bags and clear up, often coming back with 5-6 bags. It doesn't bother me, it's something that comes with having a dog!
On the other hand maybe the council could look at putting more dog bins around? I can only think of 2 dog bins in Upton and I think they are both by the marina.

Does that mean that dogs will be banned from other areas of upton then? School Lane footpath is normally covered in it which is then unintentionally trampled along the footpath even further by children on their way to school. The footpath is narrow but there is no excuse to not pick up after your dog.
If you aren't willing to pick up after it then don't walk it in places where other people walk! I have 2 dogs and regularly walk them on the fields around Upton, including the sports fields, but always have poop bags and clear up, often coming back with 5-6 bags. It doesn't bother me, it's something that comes with having a dog!
On the other hand maybe the council could look at putting more dog bins around? I can only think of 2 dog bins in Upton and I think they are both by the marina.moo999